Africa-Press – Kenya. At least 14 MPs have been nominated for state awards ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations to be led by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Kirinyaga on October 20.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o is also tipped for the Chief of the Order of Burning Spear award alongside the lawmakers.
MPs Peter Mwathi (Limuru), Silas Tiren (Moiben), Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba), Muturi Kigano (Kangema), Swarup Mishra (Kesses), Robert Mbui (Kathiani), Janet Ongera (Kisii WR), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), and Ben Momanyi (Borabu) are among National Assembly members shortlisted for the coveted award.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, his Kiambu counterpart Kimani Wamatangi, Fred Outa (Kisumu) as well as nominated members Beatrice Kwamboka and Alice Milgo are on the shortlist of Senators.
The CBS award is given to public dignitaries, exemplary members of the public service, and other professionals for distinguished services.
National Assembly deputy clerks Jeremiah Ndombi and Serah Kioko have been shortlisted for the Elder of the Order of Burning Spear (EBS) award.
State awards are extended to a person who has otherwise brought honour, glory, or pride to Kenya.
These are people who have exhibited or exhibit exemplary qualities, actions or achievements of heroism, sacrifice, bravery, patriotism or leadership for the defence, benefit or betterment of the country.
A person who has made an exemplary contribution to the country in the economic, social, scientific, academic, public administration, governance, sports, journalism, business, security or other fields also qualifies for the awards.
Also considered are state officers who have made an exemplary contribution to the betterment of the national or county governments, the executive, the judiciary, the legislature, an independent commission or an independent office.
The Parliamentary Honours Advisory Committee in a notice on Friday asked Kenyans to give their views about the nominees and file objections where applicable.
“The views and objections may be forwarded to the Joint Secretariat, Parliamentary Honours Advisory Committee through email to [email protected] by October 1,” the notice read.
“Hand delivered documents shall not be accepted,” the committee’s joint secretariat emphasized.
The Honours Advisory Committee is jointly chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Kenneth Lusaka.
Mwathi is presently the chairman of the National Assembly Security Committee and a member of the Liaison Committee.
Tiren is chairman of the Agriculture committee while Machogu chairs the Members Services and Facilities committee – tasked with MPs’ welfare.
Kigano for his part is the chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee while Mishra is the vice-chairman Members Services and Facilities committee.
Mbui, the Kathiani MP, is deputy minority leader and also a member of the Appointments and Delegated Legislation committees.
Ongera is the Kisii Woman Representative and member of the Environment committee while Mboko sits in the House Business and Public Investments committees.
Momanyi for his part is a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission and House Rules Committee.
For the Senate team, Wamatangi is the chairman Roads committee and also a member of the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC), as well as the Privileges committee.
Kwamboka is a member of the Labour committee while Outa is the vice-chairman Senate Security committee with Milgo nominated by virtue of chairing the Senate Education Committee.
In 2019, 12 lawmakers and three parliamentary staffers were accredited with the CBS and EBS awards.
They included MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South), Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East), Sofia Noor (Ijara), and Junet Mohammed (Suna East).
Others were Christopher Omulele (Luanda), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) as well as Senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), and Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni).
Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai also got the CBS award following a nomination by the Honours Committee.
